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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Barry Heimlich
February was a big month for Broward Audubon. The highlight event on February 23rd was
at Fern Forest when Bobby Harrison shared his excitement over the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas with an audience about 100.
Harrison presented compelling evidence that the Lord God Bird lives. We are very proud to
contribute to Dr. Harrisons important research. This month, Everglades BirdTrek 2006 also took
place on the weekend of Feb. 24-26. An article appears in this issue describing how 115 bird
species were sighted. At our regular meeting on Feb. 16th, Gil MacAdams, the Environmental
Administrator of the Broward Parks and Recreation Department, described the wonder of Browards
natural places and updated us on the recovery of county parks and nature centers from Hurricane
Wilma.
March is another big month when Mike Ruggieri of Flamingo Gardens speaks at our
regular meeting on March 16th at 730pm. Mike is in charge of wildlife management at the
Gardens. This event is followed on Saturday March 18 by the Annual Audubon Bird-a-thon, whichwill start out from Flamingo Gardens. Our members will be treated to free admission and a behind-
the-scenes tour of Flamingo Gardens. A Bird-a-thon donation form appears on page 4 of this issue.
Water Matters Day is coming up on March 11 at Tree Tops Park. Broward Audubon plans
to have a display booth on Global Warming and board members will be there to discuss the
subject with you. I have been invited to speak on Global Warming at the speakers forum .
Visit our website and click on the Global Warming link. We have undertaken a campaign
to encourage the Broward County Commission to begin a Global Warming Initiative by adopting
the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. A copy of the letter is posted on the Global
Warming page of the website.
There are some changes to the Activity Calendar, so be sure to check the dates below.
The WarblerMarch, 2006
Come to BCAS ex-citing activities,events, field trips,and programs!
Meetings held atFern Forest NatureCenter
The Warbler is alsoavailable online atbrowardaudubon.org
Published six times a year by Broward County Audubon Society, Inc. non-profit corporation since January 12, 1956.
Activities Calendar
Meetings(at Fern Forest Nature Center, 7pm unless stated otherwise)
Date Subject Speaker
Thurs., April 20, 2006GLOBAL WARMING:
EFFECTS ON SOUTH FLORIDA
Hal Wanless, PhD, Chair, Dept. of
Geological Sciences, University of Mi-
Thurs., March 16, 2006 Wildlife RehabilitationMike Ruggieri, Wildlife Manager,
Flamingo Gardens
Date Subject Meeting Place and Time Notes
Sat. March 4, 2006 Corkscrew Swamp Birdwalk Corkscrew Sanctuary Entranceat 9:00 a.m.
Call Ken for info on backcountry tour. Entry Fee.
Sat. March 18, 2006BIRD-A-THON and
FLAMINGO GARDENS SpecialFlamingo Gardens parking lot at
8:00 a.m. Special Event at 12 Noon
Free admission toFlamingo Gardens and
insider guided tour.
Sat. April 29, 2006Hugh Taylor Birch
State ParkBirdwalk First parking lot at 8:00 a.m.Free 2-hour walk,
2-hour workshop. Fee $20
Sat.-Sun. May 6-7, 2006Fort De Soto State Park,
St. PetersburgBirding TripContact Paddy for info:
Fee includes Birding andLodging: TBD
Sat., March 11, 2006 WATER MATTERS DAY Tree Tops Park 10 a.m.4 p.m. Visit BCAS Booth
Sat., April 22, 2006 EARTH DAY Quiet Waters Park all day Celebrate the Earth
The Warbler
BCAS Field Trips and Special Events
For info, call Ken Burgener at (954) 766-2919,email: [email protected]
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Page 2The WarblerMarch, 2006
Birding CornerFifteen Everglades BirdTrekkers, led by Barry Heimlich and Paddy
Cunningham-Pascatore, headed out on Feb. 24-26 to explore a wide
swath of the Everglades watershed. On Friday morning we set out
across Alligator Alley for Corkscrew Swamp. On Government Road, 2Crested Caracara, several Red-shouldered Hawk, 3 Sandhill
Crane, numerous White and Glossy Ibis, Northern Harrier, numer-
ous American Kestrel and many Egret and Heron were seen. After
Jason Lauritsens talk on Corkscrew over lunch, we headed for the
boardwalk. Major viewings were Swallow-tailed Kite, 9 Warblers,
Pileated Woodpecker, Wood Stork, and courting Yellow-crested
Night-herons. We headed south to see Eagle Lakes Park, which
lived up to its name as an immature Bald Eagle flew in and perched
on a tree in the large lake as we arrived. Many Loggerhead Shrike
were on the fences. Many wading birds including Lesser and Greater
Yellowlegs side by side, Blue-winged Teal and Purple Gallinule
were seen. Eastern Bluebird flitted on the opposite shore of the
small lake. We proceeded to Tigertail Beachon Marco Island. Always
a hotspot for shore birds, Tigertail did not disappoint: Western and
Least Sandpiper, Sanderling, Dunlin and Short-billed Dowitcher.
Semi-palmated, Killdeer, Black-bellied, Piping and Wilsons
Plover. A Reddish Egret fed across the lagoon.
The next morning, we headed east-
ward across Tamiami Trail in pouring rain.
The rain was subsiding by the time we ar-
rived at Shark Valley. There were more
wading birds than either Paddy or I have ever
seen along the tram route: Great, Snowy
and Cattle Egret, White and Glossy Ibis,
Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, and both
Black-crowned and Yellow-crowned
Nightheron, many immature and many
adults in breeding plumage. As we ap-
proached the Observation Tower, Paddy spot-
ted 2 American Bittern flying, a Limpkin
feeding, then another flying. On the return
from the Tower, we saw Purple Gallinule
and nests ofAnhinga and Double-crested Cormorant. Alligators,some over 12 feet, were everywhere including some newborns. The
10-footer pictured to the left
caught a 3 lb. large mouth
bass for lunch. Everglades
birds are certainly thriving in
this area. We stopped along
the Tamiami Trail to watch a
pair ofSnail Kite hunting over
the sawgrass. Two caught
snails and perched close by to
feed as if on cue. We met a
birdwatching family from New
York City whose young sons were so excited to see these endangered
kites. They were so grateful that we pointed them out.
On the way to the Main Section of Everglades National
Park,a Merlin was spotted in Redlands. After watching the video andorientation at the Coe Visitor Center, the group headed for Anhinga
Trail. Upon arrival, myriad Black and Turkey Vultures were kettling
above the parking lot. One bird soaring very high was smaller with a
short fan-shaped tail. It was identified as a Short-tailed Hawk (dark
phase). It swooped down right over our heads and seemed to be
looking us over. As we walked the Anhinga Trail, the cormorants are
so tame, you can go right up to them as the picture in the next col-
umn testifies. Some of the cormorants displayed double crests shown
only at breeding time. Anhinga, Great Blue, Little Blue, and Tri-
colored Herons were all in high breeding color. We got close looks at
nestlings of Anhinga, Green-
backed Heron, and Double-
crested Cormorant. Last but not
least, a Great White Heron(white phase of Great Blue
Heron) waded in the slough near
the Visitors Center.
At Lucky Hammock
there were Eastern Screech Owl,
Whip-poor-will and an uncommon
Swainsons Hawk The sighting of
a Barred Owl perched on a telephone wire by the Annex created
much excitement.
Early Sunday morning, we headed back to Everglades Na-
tional Park. We stopped briefly at Lucky Hammockand saw 2 im-
mature Painted Buntings and a pair ofBrown-headed Cowbirds.
Then it was a beeline for Flamingo to catch low tide. Thousands of
shorebirds covered the mudflats, including American White Pelican,
Brown Pelican, Caspian and Royal Terns. Hundreds of Black
Skimmer, Willet, Short-billed Dowitcher undulated in a low flying
dance over the flats. A lone Marbled Godwit sat among the sandpi-
pers and terns. Great , Snowy and
Reddish Egret and White Ibis were
wading in the shallows. Osprey
nested on the telephone tower.
The Flamingo area suffered
a lot of damage from Hurricanes
Katrina and Wilma. Both produced
storm surges that flooded the area.
The Flamingo Lodge is condemned
and there is doubt about whether it
will be rebuilt anytime soon. Grass
and trees were devastated by saltwa-
ter. I took a look at Eco Pond. It is
dead. No vegetation, no birds, noth-
ing. It looks like a water-filled crater
on the Moon. Saltwater inundated it, and it will take years to recover.There is no evidence of life at Mrazek Pond either.
We drove down a side road near Flamingo to look for Man-
grove Cuckoo without success, but we received a fabulous treat in-
stead: 5 American Swallow-tailed
Kites soared overhead. These birds
are so breathtaking. Suddenly they
started maneuvering at fantastic
speeds. Two swooped down very low
to the mangroves and when they re-
emerged, they were dog fighting with
a Peregrine Falcon. How startling to
see the kites and falcon in territorial
combat.
At Paurotis Pond, Wood Stork and Great Egret were
nesting in the mangroves. Several Roseate Spoonbill in high breed-
ing color flew over the mangroves to nests on the other side of themangroves.
We picnicked at Long Pine Keyby the lake. Eastern Tow-
hee,Northern Flicker, and Red-bellied Woodpecker stopped by to
visit. A brief search for Brown-headed Nuthatch was unsuccessful. We
stopped at Roberts Fruit Stand for their famous milkshakes before the
long drive back to Fort Lauderdale.
Everglades BirdTrek was a great success. In total, the group
sighting 115 species, many of them uncommon or endangered. At
each place, it was if the birds came out to show off for us. Everyone
raved about the trip, and we added some funds to the coffers too.
Everglades BirdTrek Yields 115 Species A Trek of a TimeBy Barry Heimlich
Double-crested Cormorant
Swallow-tailed Kite
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Page 3The WarblerMarch, 2006
Please participate in Audubon Bird-a-Thon as
a Birder, Sponsor or DonorBy Ken Burgener:
Broward Audubon is sponsoring a Bird-a-thon from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
on Saturday, March 18. Proceeds will go to support our important conserva-
tion and education programs. For those looking for a team or someone to go
with, we will meet at Flamingo Gardens parking lot at 8:00 a.m. to organize
carpools.
We will break for picnic lunch (bring your own) at Flamingo Gar-
dens. Participants receive free admission to the park and we will be treated
to a behind the scenes tour of the gardens and aviary.
An award ceremony and dinner (Dutch treat) will follow at Secret Woods Nature Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This will
be a fun opportunity to share stories and discuss the birds found. Prizes will be given out for the best team score.
Birders:Help Broward Audubon Society raise needed funds, by doing what you love most -- birdwatching (beats walking).Con-
tact Ken Burgener (see below) to join a birding team. Sign up sponsors using form on the next page.
Sponsors:If you wish to sponsor a birder, contact that birder and offer them your sponsorship. If you dont have a birder to
sponsor, then please sponsor Ken Burgener by contacting him at the email address or telephone number below.
Donors:For those wishing to make a donation to the chapter, please use form on the next page.
For information,
Contact Ken Burgener: Email: [email protected] Telephone: (954) 766-2919
Special Event
A Trek of a Time Photo GalleryA few highlights from
Everglades BirdTrek 2006
Do you see the baby green-
backed herons in the picture
to the left?
Great White Heron
Yellow-crowned Nightheron
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron
Wood Stork
Great Egret
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Page 4The WarblerMarch, 2006
Special Event
Official Sponsor SheetBroward County Audubon Society 2006 Bird-a-thon
100% of all donations go directly to support Audubons mission of
conservation, education and advocacy, protecting birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.
Please Print Clearly MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Broward County Audubon Society
SPONSORED BIRDER: _______________________
Your Donation Would be Appreciated100% of all donations go directly to support Audubons mission of
conservation, education and advocacy, protecting birds, other wildlife, and their habitats.
Please Print Clearly MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Broward County Audubon Society
Mail to: P.O. Box 9644, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-9644
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Donation Enclosed: $
Sponsors Name Address Telephone
Pledge
per
Species $ Gift $
Corp.
Match $ Amt Paid $
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Page 5The WarblerMarch, 2006
Of Interest
For Your Insurance Needs
Alfred E. Griffin Insurance Agency7320 Griffin Rd, #100
Davie, FL 33314
(954) 587-8008
Field guides, binoculars, scopes,
birding supplies, birdfeeders ,
software and more.
Broward Audubons
Online Nature StoreHelps Support BCAS
Ft. Lauderdale, King Tut, and the Sacred IbisBy Ken Burgener
Have you been to see the King Tut exhibit in Fort Lauderdale yet? If
you keep an eye open for the different birds you will see inscribed in
and around the artifacts brought over from Egypt, you will conclude
that the Ibis played an important part in
the lives of the ancient Egyptians. The reli-
gious belief is that the Ibis was the bird
that incubated the egg that hatched the
Universe. Over seven million Ibis have been
found mummified in Egypt.
The Egyptian Ibis is a different
species. It is called the Sacred Ibis and has
an all black head, and a body of white. It is
about the same size
as those found
here.
Our White Ibis is one of 33 different Ibis
species that make up the Family Threskiornithi-
dae. You can see them anywhere in Broward
County or in the State of Florida. The Ibis are a
warm weather bird, and is mostly found in
Florida, with some going into the Gulf Coast.White Ibis used to be the most common
wading bird in Florida, (Cattle Egret is now
more common). The Ibis eat crayfish,
crabs, insects, fish, mollusks, and I have
seen them eat popcorn at Disney World.
You may see them in large flocks eating
insects in your yard. Next time you see the
Ibis, it should remind you to go visit King
Tut. The exhibit is at the Fort Lauderdale
Museum of Art on Los Olas Boulevard and
Andrews Avenue until it leaves on April
23rd, but the White Ibis will be around
these parts for a long time. Photo: Herb & Carol Wolf
Broward Audubon Raises Funds for
Ivory-billed Woodpecker ResearchBy Barry HeimlichBobby Harrison, recognized as one of the first people to rediscover
the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in the Cache River National Wildlife
Refuge of Arkansas Big Woods, ad-dressed a crowd of about 100 people on
the evening of February 23rd at Fern
Forest Nature Center. Donations from
the attendees provided a significant
contribution to support Harrisons re-
search in conjunction with the Cornell
Ornithology Lab. Harrisons slide presen-
tation was both informative and very
entertaining. He explained how this
magnificent bird was driven to the edge
of extinction, thought to be extinct for
50 years, and excitedly rediscovered in
2004. He presented compelling video
and audio evidence that the Lord God
Bird still lives and told us about the
joint efforts of the Cornell OrnithologyLab, Nature Conservancy, and other conservation groups to further
document its survival and to learn about its living and breeding hab-
its in order to help the species recover.
Rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker is the most
exciting conservation story in many years. It shows the importance
of preserving large tracts of wilderness to provide habitat for wildlife.
The Ivory-bill requires large territories. If it hadnt been for the pres-
ervation of over 100 square miles of old growth cypress-tupelo for-
est, who knows if this magnificent bird would have made it into the
21st Century.
The event was jointly sponsored by Broward County Audu-
bon Society and the Broward County Parks and Recreation Depart-
ment.
NURSERIES
LANDSCAPING
CONTRACTORS
2911 SW 36th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
Ph: (954) 584 0269
Fax: (954) 584 6958
Jamie HayesGeneral Manager
Science Fair Winners Recognizedby Marti ReynoldsThe 32nd Annual Broward County Science Fair was held on February
16-19 at a local mall with many outstanding projects produced by
650 students for 61 area schools.
Four top projects were selected from a range of topics
randing from The sensitivity of organisms to salt stress in our ecosys-
tems; to how physical factors bo beach restoration might impact
living organizations; to which hurricane shutters hold up best; to
determine the effect of pH levels in our waterways on living organ-
isms.
The 2006 first place high school winner is Faheema Abdul
Ghany, and the first place middle school winner is Nicholas Levy.
Broward County Audubon will recognize these outstanding young
students at our April 20th meeting and receive a $50 savings bond.
Broward County Audubon Society expresses its sincere
appreciation to Alfred E. Griffin Insurance Agency,
Landers Nursery and Runway Growers Inc. for their
support.
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Volume 51
Issue 6
March 2006
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
FT. LAUD., FL
PERMIT NO. 1126Meetings At: Fern Forest Nature Center
201 Lyons Rd. South
Coconut Creek 33063
From I-95 and Atlantic Blvd: Go west to South Lyons Road, go south to
entrance of Nature Center.
From US441/SR7 and W. Atlantic Blvd: Go east to South Lyons Road,
go south to entrance of Nature Center.
From South by Florida Turnpike: Exit at Atlantic Blvd. Go west one light
to South Lyons Road, go south to entrance of Nature Center.
From North by Florida Turnpike: Exit Pompano Beach, go right at light
onto Coconut Creek Pkwy. Go West to S. Lyons Rd (NW 46th Ave). Turn left,
Broward County Audubon SocietyP.O. Box 9644Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-9644954-776-5585Email: [email protected]: http://www.browardaudubon.org
Published six times a year byBroward County Audubon Society,Inc. non-profit corporationsince January 12, 1956.
Conservation, Community, Commitment
The Newsletter of the Broward County Audubon SocietyWere on the web:
browardaudubon.org
Inside this issue:
Presidents Message Activities Calendar MarMay
2006
Everglades BirdTrek Audubon Bird-a-Thon Bird-a-Thon Sponsors Sheet Raising Funds for Ivory Research King Tut and the Sacred Ibis
NEXT GENERAL MEETINGTHURS., March 16, 2006
FERN FOREST NATURE CENTER:
7:15 PMRefreshments
7:30 PMMeeting
FERN FOREST NATURE CENTER
THURSDAY, March 16, 2006 AT 7:30 PM
Wildlife Rescue and RehabilitationMike Ruggieri, Wildlife Manager
Flamingo Gardens
Mike Ruggieri manages the care and treatment of hundreds
of birds and animals at the magnificent Flamingo Gardens.
He will tell us about the wildlife collection at the Gardens
and how wounded and ill wildlife brought to the Gardens
are cared for.
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